10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
5 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
31,367 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2016 Ford F-150:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #278

Mar 142025

F-150

  • miles
driving down the road and the transmission stopped driving at stop light, forced the gas pedal down, and finally kicked itself into gear to jerk the truck hard into another lane. had a horrible smell afterward

- Roseville , CA, USA

problem #277

Jan 032025

F-150

  • 0 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while exiting the driveway driving approximately 20 MPH, the vehicle unexpectedly downshifted. The vehicle failed to accelerate or move forward. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a transmission specialist who determined that a transmission replacement was needed. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed that there was no recall coverage on the VIN. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Lebanon, VA, USA

problem #276

Mar 122025

F-150

  • 122,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving 37-39 MPH, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted from fourth to first gear. The vehicle jerked and made an abnormally loud sound. The contact pulled over and parked the vehicle. The contact waited 30 seconds before shifting the transmission into drive(D) to drive the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but the cause of the failure could not be determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Action Number: PE25002 (Power Train). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 122,000.

- La Grange, IL, USA

problem #275

Nov 082024

F-150

  • miles
While driving a 2016 Ford F-150 XLT Supercab with a 6-speed transmission and 5.0L V-8, the truck was acting abnormally where the rear tires locked up and chirped once, then acted normally. The following week I auto-started the truck to warm the engine up prior to leaving for work, the transmission clunked into reverse and moved, then when in forward motion the transmission lagged and heavily shifted upon acceleration. I turned around, came home, and switched vehicles. Upon arriving home after work, I took the truck for a test drive and it functioned normally, so I continued onto the grocery store. While traveling at 35mph, the transmission slammed into first gear and jolted me. The transmission began shifting on its own from 1st to 3rd back to 1st then to reverse. I was stopped in the middle of the road. I shut the truck off and waited approximately 5 to 10 minutes and tried to restart the vehicle. It wouldn't start, then it finally started and I pulled off to the side of the road. (There was no shoulder.) I gingerly pulled out and started my way back home. Luckily I made it home. There was no engine light (wrench) on the dashboard. I let the truck sit overnight. I started it the following morning, and then the light turned on. Now, if my family (wife and [XXX] ) would've been in the truck while pulling a trailer and 4-wheelers on our way out of state for the weekend and travelling at highway speeds (65-70 mph) and the transmission would've unexpectedly dropped into first gear, the truck and trailer would slam to a stop and there would be a pile up accident with death / mangling done to my family and myself. The truck was taken to a Ford dealer diagnosed with a [XXX] transmission wiring harness control being faulty, and replaced. I drove the truck for 2 months before travelling with a travel or allowing my [XXX] son anywhere near the truck. The repair fixed the issue, but we're strongly considering selling it. Repair cost ~$1800 INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552

- Pen Argyl, PA, USA

problem #274

Aug 152024

F-150

  • miles
Transmission malfunction, stop working then slam back hard again working.Took to transmission shop (Hixson Tramsmission) and charged 100 dollars to tell me they found nothing wrong. Had fluids changed in transmission for another 400 dollars on a truck 2016 with 38000 miles on it. It jam back so hard then could find nothing. I was hard enough to make my back and neck hurt. If i had be on busy road it would have caused an accident.No warning light or signals till a couple days after i spent 500 dollars trying to find the problem the engine light came on after the fact.

- Chattanooga, TN, USA

problem #273

Mar 252025

F-150

  • miles
While driving 35-40mph, transmission downshifted to a low gear and locked up rear wheels. This cause a loss of control for a moment. Check engine light came on, as well as wrench on dash. Engine cooling fans turned on high, and no indication of what gear was selected on the dash.

- Bothell, WA, USA

problem #272

Mar 252025

F-150

  • miles
I have a 2017 F150 6 speed transmission. It shifts unexpectedly while driving

- Bountiful, UT, USA

problem #271

Dec 142024

F-150

  • 115,000 miles
The contact's wife owns a 2016 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH, the vehicle jerked and hesitated. The contact stated that while attempting to accelerate, the vehicle briefly lost motive power before slamming into gear. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the transmission. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000.

- Buckeye, AZ, USA

problem #270

Mar 092025

F-150

  • miles
Unexpected gear downshift accompanied by a temporary rear wheel lock-up. This occurs at highway speeds and has shifted from 6th gear to 2nd gear multiple times at 50+ mph. This causes substantial safety concerns to both those in the vehicle as well as other vehicles on the road in the immediate proximity. When this occurs speed is restricted suddenly/immediately by a reduction of 5-12 mph. This causes severe impact to passengers. At low speed the gears shift sporadically between all 6 gear ranges impacting drivability. The vehicle has been inspected several times by Corwin Ford however they clear the codes and 'can not replicate' which correlates to the dealership deeming it safe to operate. There were multiple warning lights/lamps, messages when delivered to the dealership. Those were then cleared prior to 'diagnostics' as that was 'their process'.

- Kennewick, WA, USA

problem #269

Mar 212025

F-150

  • miles
Transmission dropped from 6th gear to 4th at 75mph and almost locked my axle

- Summerfield , FL, USA

problem #268

Nov 272024

F-150

  • miles
While traveling at 60mph transmission downshifted to first gear suddenly locking up rear end. Very dangerous situation Ford has. This could has caused a serious accident and injured people. No cel lights came on. Was reported to a Ford dealer who did not even care, and he's the one who sold me this truck.

- Troy, NY, USA

problem #267

Nov 132024

F-150

  • miles
My 2016 F150 it-??s transmission downshifts just driving down the road the same thing they are recalling the 2014 F150 for

- Frankford, DE, USA

problem #266

Jan 072025

F-150

  • miles
Transmission downshifts while driving at highway speed. Was going 50mph and trans was in 6 gear and dropped down to 2nd gear. Has happened multiple times and I needed to get the transmission fixed.

- Kings Park, NY, USA

problem #265

Mar 252024

F-150

  • 49,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH uphill on several occasions, the vehicle made an abnormal grinding sound. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the failure could not be duplicated. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. The vehicle was taken to Lonstein's Motors Inc, where the gears were taken apart, and the mechanic diagnosed that the integrated wheel end (IWE) of the 4WD system was partially engaging unintendedly, causing gears to grind against each other and to become damaged. The mechanic noticed the presence of metal shavings. The mechanic replaced the left and right hub assemblies, two actuators, the vacuum lines, and the tubing solenoid. The vehicle was repaired. The contact related the failure to TSB Number: 18-2273. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not covered under warranty. The failure mileage was approximately 49,000.

- Greenfield Park, NY, USA

problem #264

Feb 142025

F-150

  • miles
happened a couple times within a week or so as the first time i was not sure what happened and there were no check engine lights but the second time i realized something was wrong and the check engine light was on. but while driving doing about 55-60 on my way home from work it happened and it seemed like the truck went from 6th gear to 1st throwing me forward and the dash went blank and then came back on after a split second and there was no response from the gas and then pedal was responding again. i pulled over and there were check engine lights on as well as the warnings for the cross traffic sensors. i then brought the truck into the local ford dealership and they said it was the valve body gone bad. they put in a new one and it wouldn't take programming so they put in a second one and i haven't had a problem since.

- Republic, MO, USA

problem #263

Sep 182024

F-150

  • miles
PO722 output speed sensor circuit replaced due to speed variations on the road was confirmed by dealer of danger to drive the warning was a wrench light repaired on ro#[xxx] at dealer paul miller Ford East new circle rd lexington ky 40505 happened on [xxx] 180 miles away from home information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Greenville, OH, USA

problem #262

Mar 182025

F-150

  • 148,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the wrench warning light illuminated, the instrument panel went black, and the vehicle lost motive power and decelerated. The vehicle was coasted to the side of the road. The vehicle failed to restart. A mechanic arrived on the scene and disconnected the negative battery terminal and waited for a while before restarting the vehicle and continued driving. The contact stated that the vehicle was driven to the residence where the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed the vehicle with an internal sensor failure inside the transmission. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 148,000.

- Van Buren Twp, MI, USA

problem #261

Mar 062024

F-150

  • miles
Unknown Downshifts for no reason

- Middleton, MA, USA

problem #260

Feb 122025

F-150

  • miles
Occasionally on startup will hard shift then get stuck in 5th,3rd, or 1st gear and will move slowly upon accelerating.This will also happen when driving at different speeds.Cooling fan will also be running on high speed.Had lead frame and valve body replaced($2000) but within two weeks symptoms returned.Truck is now in dealer waiting for replacement transmission to come in($7000) Will add receipt when vehicle is returned.

- Harrisville, RI, USA

problem #259

Mar 122025

F-150

  • miles
The problem is my transmission a 6R80 my safety is put at risk when getting onto the highway. And the truck slips, third, and fourth gear causes me to gradually speed up on an interstate. The truck has been inspected by Ford. They replaced a torque converter, but not even a year later. Now it's slipping, gears and shuddering real bad.

- Fayetteville, NC, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »